Is it reasonable to have a "warranty" on a car alignment (AAA Automark)?

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CarGuru > Technology > Is it reasonable to have a "warranty" on a car alignment (AAA Automark)? 19 April 2005 05:36:10

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Is it reasonable to have a "warranty" on a car alignment (AAA Automark)?
Russell 16 April 2005 23:33:15
	About 10 months ago, I took my car into the AAA Automark Car Care Center in Raleigh NC for a four wheel alignment. The repair order says that their warranty is 12 months or 12,000 miles which ever comes first. It's also stated at http://www.aaacarolinas.com/AutoMark/About/philosophy.htm. I stopped by at the service center earlier today since my mechanic had advised me to check the alignment the vehicle. The first "adviser" I talked with asked me how many miles I had put on and when I said about 13,000 he said it had exceeded the 12,000 and they wouldn't be able to do anything under "warranty". Then another advisor showed up (may have been the previous guy's manager). He said that things like alignment were not covered by warranty as one could drive into a pot-hole and throw the car out of alignment. Anyway, since they had no openings today I left. Basically, I've gotten two different stories from two people at the desk as to coverage for an alignment. I thought I'd be able to find a copy of their warranty on-line but have not been successful. So, I'm curious - would something like an alignment be covered or is it like the second guy said (something I should not expect any reasonable shop to cover by a warranty for any extended mileage period). Any insights would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Russell
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Shep 16 April 2005 23:42:04 [ permanent link ]
	I think the 1st question here is why do you think the alignment is out. Today's cars/trucks ordinarily do not go out of alignment without something being bent or steering/suspension parts wearing, but if the shop has a posted 12/12 warranty, then even with that at 13k you would be over. "Russell" <russell7702REMOVE@THISearthlink.net> wrote in message news:%Ld8e.6701$go4.1435@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net...> About 10 months ago, I took my car into the AAA Automark Car Care Center > in Raleigh NC for a four wheel alignment. The repair order says that > their warranty is 12 months or 12,000 miles which ever comes first. It's > also stated at http://www.aaacarolinas.com/AutoMark/About/philosophy.htm. > I stopped by at the service center earlier today since my mechanic had > advised me to check the alignment the vehicle. The first "adviser" I > talked with asked me how many miles I had put on and when I said about > 13,000 he said it had exceeded the 12,000 and they wouldn't be able to do > anything under "warranty". Then another advisor showed up (may have been > the previous guy's manager). He said that things like alignment were not > covered by warranty as one could drive into a pot-hole and throw the car > out of alignment. Anyway, since they had no openings today I left. > Basically, I've gotten two different stories from two people at the desk > as to coverage for an alignment. I thought I'd be able to find a copy of > their warranty on-line but have not been successful. So, I'm curious - > would something like an alignment be covered or is it like the second guy > said (something I should not expect any reasonable shop to cover by a > warranty for any extended mileage period).> Any insights would be greatly appreciated.> Thanks,> Russell> ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==---- http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----
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Russell 17 April 2005 02:46:34 [ permanent link ]
	Shep, Thanks for responding. However, I think you've missed my point. Perhaps I was not clear enough? I was trying to determine whether it was reasonable to expect an alignment to be warrantied 12/12 (which the shop and receipt claimed in vague general terms - as shown by their link below) in the absence of reliable information about their warranties. I was not asking if at 13k I'd be over or not - the answer to that is obvious. Russell "Shep" <djsljsrn@capital.net> wrote in message news:42616b56$1_2@127.0.0.1...>I think the 1st question here is why do you think the alignment is out. >Today's cars/trucks ordinarily do not go out of alignment without something >being bent or steering/suspension parts wearing, but if the shop has a >posted 12/12 warranty, then even with that at 13k you would be over.> "Russell" <russell7702REMOVE@THISearthlink.net> wrote in message > news:%Ld8e.6701$go4.1435@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net...>> About 10 months ago, I took my car into the AAA Automark Car Care Center >> in Raleigh NC for a four wheel alignment. The repair order says that >> their warranty is 12 months or 12,000 miles which ever comes first. It's >> also stated at http://www.aaacarolinas.com/AutoMark/About/philosophy.htm. >> I stopped by at the service center earlier today since my mechanic had >> advised me to check the alignment the vehicle. The first "adviser" I >> talked with asked me how many miles I had put on and when I said about >> 13,000 he said it had exceeded the 12,000 and they wouldn't be able to do >> anything under "warranty". Then another advisor showed up (may have been >> the previous guy's manager). He said that things like alignment were not >> covered by warranty as one could drive into a pot-hole and throw the car >> out of alignment. Anyway, since they had no openings today I left. >> Basically, I've gotten two different stories from two people at the desk >> as to coverage for an alignment. I thought I'd be able to find a copy of >> their warranty on-line but have not been successful. So, I'm curious - >> would something like an alignment be covered or is it like the second guy >> said (something I should not expect any reasonable shop to cover by a >> warranty for any extended mileage period).>> Any insights would be greatly appreciated.>> Thanks,>> Russell>> ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet > News==----> http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ > Newsgroups> ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption > =----
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Russell 17 April 2005 03:01:22 [ permanent link ]
	"shiden_kai" <violet_lightening_modified@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:Oge8e.1039536$6l.910537@pd7tw2no...> Russell wrote:> have not been successful. So, I'm curious - would something like an>> alignment be covered or is it like the second guy said (something I>> should not expect any reasonable shop to cover by a warranty for any>> extended mileage period).> I know that GM allows only a small window of opportunity for> warranty alignments on their brand new vehicles. They won't do> anything for the first 2-3K kilometers and then they will do an> alignment for any possible factory problem up until about 12K klms.> After that, alignments are only done under warranty as a result of> some other part failing, or if something like a subframe has to be> removed to perform engine/trans work.> I can't see any other shop giving you much more then a printout> and the assurance that it was set up right when they finished with> it. Do you still have the printout from the alignment they did? If> so, you could go to another shop, get an alignment check done,> and see if anything has changed....etc.> Ian, thanks for responding to my question. I have the repair order but there is nothing technical about it - nothing like what you've described in your last paragraph. So I guess I should conclude that it's not reasonable for a shop to warrant an alignment after a certain amount of driving is done? Thanks, Russell
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Russell 17 April 2005 03:02:14 [ permanent link ]
	Shep, my mechanic feels there is more wear on the outside of some of the tires. Russell "Shep" <djsljsrn@capital.net> wrote in message news:42616b56$1_2@127.0.0.1...>I think the 1st question here is why do you think the alignment is out. >Today's cars/trucks ordinarily do not go out of alignment without something >being bent or steering/suspension parts wearing, but if the shop has a >posted 12/12 warranty, then even with that at 13k you would be over.> "Russell" <russell7702REMOVE@THISearthlink.net> wrote in message > news:%Ld8e.6701$go4.1435@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net...>> About 10 months ago, I took my car into the AAA Automark Car Care Center >> in Raleigh NC for a four wheel alignment. The repair order says that >> their warranty is 12 months or 12,000 miles which ever comes first. It's >> also stated at http://www.aaacarolinas.com/AutoMark/About/philosophy.htm. >> I stopped by at the service center earlier today since my mechanic had >> advised me to check the alignment the vehicle. The first "adviser" I >> talked with asked me how many miles I had put on and when I said about >> 13,000 he said it had exceeded the 12,000 and they wouldn't be able to do >> anything under "warranty". Then another advisor showed up (may have been >> the previous guy's manager). He said that things like alignment were not >> covered by warranty as one could drive into a pot-hole and throw the car >> out of alignment. Anyway, since they had no openings today I left. >> Basically, I've gotten two different stories from two people at the desk >> as to coverage for an alignment. I thought I'd be able to find a copy of >> their warranty on-line but have not been successful. So, I'm curious - >> would something like an alignment be covered or is it like the second guy >> said (something I should not expect any reasonable shop to cover by a >> warranty for any extended mileage period).>> Any insights would be greatly appreciated.>> Thanks,>> Russell>> ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet > News==----> http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ > Newsgroups> ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption > =----
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Steve B . 17 April 2005 03:09:07 [ permanent link ]
	On Sat, 16 Apr 2005 22:46:34 GMT, "Russell" <russell7702REMOVE@THISearthlink.net> wrote: Shep, Thanks for responding. However, I think you've missed my point. >Perhaps I was not clear enough? I was trying to determine whether it was >reasonable to expect an alignment to be warrantied 12/12 (which the shop and >receipt claimed in vague general terms - as shown by their link below) in >the absence of reliable information about their warranties. I was not >asking if at 13k I'd be over or not - the answer to that is obvious.> Russell That depends on the shop and their policy. Technically the only way an alignment will get off is if you hit something (like a pot hole) with the car or the suspension is worn/failing neither of which is the shops fault. Most places do give you some sort of warranty though. Sears used to sell a "lifetime alignment" as did other tire places. Don't know if they still do or not. On those they just marked it up enough to hedge their bets. I would say if your reciept said you had a 12/12 warranty then you had a 12/12 warranty. I one jackass didn't want to honor it you could just find another one or call the corporate office. Steve B.
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Don Brady 17 April 2005 05:54:05 [ permanent link ]
	All they can warranty is their own work. If it looks later as if their work was at fault, then they would have an obligation to fix it. If some other external cause resulted in misalignment, that would not be their problem unless the warranty very clearly stated that they would do as many alignments as were needed during the period, even if they were necssary because of shocks or damage that occured for any reason.
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Y_p_w 17 April 2005 07:15:28 [ permanent link ]
	Steve B. wrote: On Sat, 16 Apr 2005 22:46:34 GMT, "Russell"> <russell7702REMOVE@THISearthlink.net> wrote:> Shep, Thanks for responding. However, I think you've missed my point. >>Perhaps I was not clear enough? I was trying to determine whether it was >>reasonable to expect an alignment to be warrantied 12/12 (which the shop and >>receipt claimed in vague general terms - as shown by their link below) in >>the absence of reliable information about their warranties. I was not >>asking if at 13k I'd be over or not - the answer to that is obvious.>> Russell> That depends on the shop and their policy. Technically the only way> an alignment will get off is if you hit something (like a pot hole)> with the car or the suspension is worn/failing neither of which is the> shops fault. Most places do give you some sort of warranty though.> Sears used to sell a "lifetime alignment" as did other tire places.> Don't know if they still do or not. On those they just marked it up> enough to hedge their bets. I got my lifetime alignment at a Firestone shop for $160. I took my new car in at under 1000 miles, and it was already way out of alignment. Since then I've gotten a one realignment after I bought new tires elsewhere. For my previous lifetime alignment, I got maybe 6 of them, and I was never asked to have "services" performed except a recommendation when my tires were obviously near bald. I would say if your reciept said you had a 12/12 warranty then you had> a 12/12 warranty. I one jackass didn't want to honor it you could > just find another one or call the corporate office. I think 12 months is perfectly reasonable. There are just too many external factors (potholes, curbs, steel plates) to expect a non- lifetime alignment to be longer than that.
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Daniel Barton 17 April 2005 09:20:20 [ permanent link ]
	"Steve B." wrote:> Sears used to sell a "lifetime alignment" as did other tire places.> Don't know if they still do or not. On those they just marked it up> enough to hedge their bets.> I just bought 3 years of unlimited alignments, tire rotations and balancing from NTB yesterday in Cary for $130. They also had a one year plan for $99 and a five year plan for around $170. A one-time alignment was $65. Regards, Daniel -- -------------------------------------------------------------- \| danielmbarton@yahoo.com \| --------------------------------------------------------------
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Dweezil Dwarftosser 17 April 2005 23:38:39 [ permanent link ]
	Russell wrote:> [ snippage ] Ian, thanks for responding to my question. I have the repair order but> there is nothing technical about it - nothing like what you've described in> your last paragraph. So I guess I should conclude that it's not reasonable> for a shop to warrant an alignment after a certain amount of driving is> done? From what I read on their webpage, they warrant the repairs they have done. (e.g. - alignment was proper when it came down off the rack, nothing was loose or broken, and any parts they installed were serviceable and of appropriate quality... but that's about it. I would assume they would replace parts they installed if those parts inexplicably broke: that is, no other evidence of a collision with road hazards.) No one could (nor would anyone reasonably expect them to) warrant that nothing you could do would mis-align the wheels - short of replacing the entire steering/suspension system with vastly beefed-up components weighing an extra ton or so.
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Smithey 18 April 2005 02:56:56 [ permanent link ]
	I think the warranty extends to 2 years if you are a member of AAA.
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Guest 18 April 2005 02:57:46 [ permanent link ]
	On Sun, 17 Apr 2005 22:56:56 GMT, "smithey" <smitheysmithey@smitheyagain.com> wrote: I think the warranty extends to 2 years if you are a member of AAA.> What if you're in AA, do you get one year ? Click every day here to feed an animal that needs you today !!! http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/ Paul ( pjm @ pobox . com ) - remove spaces to email me 'Some days, it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.' HVAC/R program for Palm PDA's Free demo now available online http://pmilligan.net/palm/ Free Temperature / Pressure charts for 38 Ref's http://pmilligan.net/pmtherm/
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Andrew White 18 April 2005 05:06:48 [ permanent link ]
	"Russell" <russell7702REMOVE@THISearthlink.net> wrote: Shep, Thanks for responding. However, I think you've missed my point. >Perhaps I was not clear enough? I was trying to determine whether it was >reasonable to expect an alignment to be warrantied 12/12 No, it's not. Wheels can get misaligned due to accidents (hitting a pothole) or negligent driving (hitting a curb). There's no way for a shop to know what caused the misalignment and it's highly unlikely it's something they did wrong, almost zero probability.
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Quietguy 19 April 2005 05:36:10 [ permanent link ]
	I dont think it is reasonable to expect a 12/12 warrantee on an alignment. Too many factors that can influence the alignment after the event. - eg such as hitting a curb or a big pothole. To me it seems like expecting a guarantee against punctures for your tyres And I am a consumer, not a provider David Russell wrote: Shep, Thanks for responding. However, I think you've missed my point.> Perhaps I was not clear enough? I was trying to determine whether it was> reasonable to expect an alignment to be warrantied 12/12 (which the shop and> receipt claimed in vague general terms - as shown by their link below) in> the absence of reliable information about their warranties. I was not> asking if at 13k I'd be over or not - the answer to that is obvious.>
		Add comment

CarGuru > Technology > Is it reasonable to have a "warranty" on a car alignment (AAA Automark)? 19 April 2005 05:36:10

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Is it reasonable to have a "warranty" on a car alignment (AAA Automark)?

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